Sporting News: Auriemma More Influential Than Belichick

STORRS, CT — University of Connecticut Women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is more influential in the sports world than New England patriots coach Bill Belichick, but that does not make him the most influential from Connecticut, according to a Sporting News ranking.

The Sporting News polled 21 experts from across the sports spectrum, including executives and officials from various leagues, teams, networks, news outlets and organizations, and asked them to name the most influential people in sports in 2016. The result is the SN50, a "comprehensive ranking of the biggest power brokers, both on the field and in the boardroom."

Auriemma was No.41, right behind someone he worked with at the summer Olympics as the coach of the American squad, United State Olympic Committee Chairman Larry Probst.

Belichick was ranked 47th.

Auriemma was not even closed to the top-ranked figure from Connecticut. That is ESPN President John Skipper at No. 3.

National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

See the entire Sporting News ranking here.

Photo Credit: USA Basketball